The Best 'FIFA' Games, Ranked
Soccer fans across the globe unite annually with the release of the FIFA video game series and these are the best FIFA games ranked from best to worst.
RELATED: Who's Won Every FIFA World Cup?
For over two decades, FIFA has become a staple in the gaming community for passionate and casual soccer supporters alike.
The series debuted in 1993 with the title FIFA International Soccer but two years later it was quickly given the FIFA moniker that stuck. There have been variations of the game over the years that typically allow players to compete as their favorite players and club teams. These include those from around Europe, North and South America, and other parts of the world.
FIFA has also given players the chance to utilize national teams through their normal game modes, and in some cases, created separate games specifically for World Cups. In 2005, Electronic Arts also debuted the FIFA Street series which shed some light on the street soccer community and offered players the chance to compete in different areas of the world.
When Does 'FIFA 24' Come Out?
FIFA games over the years have typically been released to the public in September of each year in different windows.
Fans can purchase different packages or variations of the game based on online play or get early access through EA Play.
"FIFA 24" won't actually be the title of this game though.
In 2023, FIFA will take on the new name of EA Sports FC though after the long-time partnership between Electronic Arts and the global governing soccer body comes to an end.
Today, ONE37m is looking back at the best FIFA games ranked from best to worst since the series began nearly 30 years ago.
1. 'FIFA 13
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2012
Playable On: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, iOS
This was the first FIFA game where users could utilize the Kinect sensor on Xbox 360 and Playstation Move on Playstation 3. It also allowed gamers to use the "First Touch" control method.
2. 'FIFA 14'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2013
Playable On: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One Nintendo Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and Microsoft Windows
Lionel Messi and Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez appeared on the covers of this FIFA and this game received huge recognition. In FIFA Ultimate Team, the game introduced 'Legends' including huge superstars like Ruud Gullit, Pele, and George Weah.
3. 'FIFA Soccer 12'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2011
Playable On: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii; on handhelds for PlayStation Portable, Nintendo 3DS, Xperia Play, Android, and iOS
This game introduced a more enhanced defending strategy with 'Tactical Defending,' which was well received. This installment also gave online play a lot more meaning with gamers being able to play 'Head to Head.' There was also an add-on for Euro 2012 in this game.
4. 'FIFA World Cup 98'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 1998
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn, Game Boy, Mega Drive/Sega Genesis, SNES
This was the first time every national team was included in a game ahead of a World Cup. FIFA didn't try to replicate this again until the 2010 edition when the World Cup went to South Africa.
5. 'FIFA Street 2'
Image credit: EA Sports BIG
Released in 2006
Playable On: Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox, and mobile phones
Game modes like 'Rule the Streets' allowed fans to play with their favorite stars or create players from scratch and increase their abilities through challenges.
6. 'FIFA 07'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2006
Playable On: Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS
This game featured 27 leagues across the globe, including Rest of the World.
7. 'FIFA Soccer 11'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2010
Playable On: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, iOS, Android, PlayStation Portable
FIFA introduced 360-degree dribbling, which became a more natural way for players to show off their skills. This game also had one of the best FIFA soundtracks to date with songs like 'White Picket Fences,' 'Blackout' and 'Can't Sleep.'
8. 'FIFA 09'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2008
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360 and Zeebo
Nothing was bigger in FIFA 09 than the introduction of 'Ultimate Team,' which allowed players to compete online and build their own squads by accumulating coins and completing challenges.
9. 'FIFA 10'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2009
Playable On: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Wii, and mobile
'Virtual Pro' became an important addition to FIFA by allowing gamers to create a player and then take them through 'Be a Pro' seasons.
10. 'FIFA 99'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 1998
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, and Nintendo 64
This was the first time graphics really became noticeably better in FIFA. 'European Dream League' also lets gamers play as the best in Europe in a newly-formed club competition. This featured the 20 best teams in a domestic league-style format.
11. 'FIFA 17'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2016
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
'The Journey' was a huge success in this game with the playable character Alex Hunter. He was later brought back in future installments of this career mode.
12. 'FIFA Soccer 06'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2005
Playable On: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, and mobile phones
This is one of the best FIFA games and features Ronaldinho and Wayne Rooney on this iconic game cover. FIFA 06 Soccer's 'Lounge' also became a big hit with 'winner stays on' and different variations of multiplayer gaming.
13. 'FIFA Soccer 08'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2007
Playable On: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, and mobile phones
'Manager Mode' was one of the bigger additions to this game.
14. 'FIFA 16'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2015
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Android, and iOS
This game has 78 stadiums, including the addition of Portsmouth venue Fratton Park.
15. 'FIFA Football 2005'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2004
Playable On: PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows, Xbox, Playstation Portable, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance
This game introduced fans to Liga MX - Mexico's top flight - in its entirety for the first time in FIFA's history. FIFA also brought back the 'Create-a-Player' mode and installed a 15-season career mode.
16. '2006 FIFA World Cup'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2006
Playable On: Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, and Xbox 360
This game featured 127 national teams, including the 32 competing at the World Cup in Germany this year.
17. 'FIFA 15'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2014
Playable On: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone
'FIFA Ultimate Team' introduced a few new cool integrations including 'Concept Squad' which lets players see what their teams would look like without buying their team.
18. 'FIFA 18'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2017
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
Alex Hunter's path continued in 'The Journey' as heads to the LA Galaxy this time. This was a cool addition to the game that was a spin-off of career modes.
19. 'FIFA 2000'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 1999
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Color, and PlayStation
'Major League Soccer' was introduced for the first time in this game after the league began back in 1996.
20. '2002 FIFA World Cup'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2001
Playable On: Nintendo GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and Xbox
There were 41 national teams in this game, including all the countries that qualified for the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
21. 'FIFA Street'
Image credit: EA Sports BIG
Released in 2005
Playable On: PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube
Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho were two of the biggest names included in this spin-off of FIFA.
22. 'FIFA Football 02'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2001
Playable On: GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and Xbox
Thierry Henry was the lone cover star in this FIFA and they introduced power bars for passes and shots.
23. '2010 FIFA World Cup: South Africa'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2010
Playable On: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, Wii, iOS
This was a game-changing installment of FIFA because it introduced the World Cup to a wider scale after a long layoff from 1998. You could play as the 32 teams that qualified for the South Africa World Cup or introduce your country into the mix. There were also playable situations that mimicked famous qualifying moments leading up to the World Cup.
24. 'FIFA 23'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2022
Playable On: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Google Stadia
This is the final installment of the FIFA series before the game's licensing agreement with the global body ends in 2022. There was also a download in the game for players to play World Cup mode ahead of the Qatar World Cup.
25. 'FIFA Football 2004'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2003
Playable On: Nintendo GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and Xbox
This FIFA allowed players to take lower division teams and try to carry them to promotion throughout countries like England.
26. 'FIFA 2001'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2000
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation
There were two variations of this game for North America and the rest of the world, with a Major League Soccer version in the U.S.
27. '2014 FIFA World Cup: Brazil'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2014
Playable On: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox 360
This game had the most national teams ever in a World Cup game with over 200. The 'Road to Rio de Janeiro' mode allowed players the chance to run through the qualification process before reaching the World Cup.
28. 'FIFA Street 3'
Image credit: EA Sports BIG
Released in 2008
Playable On: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo DS
FIFA Street mimics other EA Sports BIG series like NFL Street and NBA Street with crazy skill moves and intense graphics.
29. 'FIFA Soccer 96'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 1995
Playable On: Sega Saturn, Game Boy, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, 32X, and DOS
This was a game-changing soccer video game with the 'Virtual Stadium' technology. FIFA Soccer 96 has always been considered one of the top soccer games ever created.
30. 'FIFA Soccer 95'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 1994
Playable On: Sega Genesis, Playstation
This was the first game where European club teams were added, including Premier League and La Liga sides.
31. 'FIFA 21'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2020
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One
In a lot of ways, this game disappointed, especially with Juventus, Roma, River Plate, and Boca Juniors not having their names included due to rights issues. This game actually featured several new icons like Ferenc Puskas, Xavi, and Petr Cech.
32. 'FIFA International Soccer'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 1993
Playable On: Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
The OG FIFA debuted in time for World Cup 1994 in the United States and featured over 100 countries. Unfortunately, the camera views were limited to overhead.
33. 'FIFA Soccer 97'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 1996
Playable On: PC, PlayStation, SNES, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, and Sega Saturn
In a lot of ways, this game was cool because it offered gamers the chance to add real players to different teams. However, this was only in 'Kick Off' mode.
34. 'FIFA 20'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2019
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
Volta Football was introduced as FIFA's ode to FIFA Street games of the past. It allowed players to compete in different worldwide settings like Miami and other cities that have big street soccer cultures.
35. 'FIFA 19'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2018
Playable On: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows
The big addition to FIFA this year was the game's rights to the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Super Cup. This game also had an update for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, which was a huge step for the U.S. Women's National Team.
36. 'FIFA Mobile'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2016
Playable On: iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows
The mobile games weren't as well received because there were fewer game modes and controls were difficult to handle.
37. 'FIFA 22'
Image credit: EA Sports
Released in 2021
Playable On: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Kylian Mbappe served as the cover athlete in this FIFA.
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